Criticism is a destructive conflict behaviour which has been associated with poor relationship outcomes in both parent-child and marital relationships. However, the role of the individual’s perception of parental and spousal criticism in influencing the perceptions of criticism of other members in the family unit have not been examined. This study investigated the associations between parental bonding and perceptions of parental and spousal criticism across generations. 134 married parent-dyads (G2) and one child (G3) of each dyad were recruited. G2 parent participants completed the Perceived Criticism measure for their parents (G1) and spouses, the Parental Bonding Instrument and Quality of Marriage Index. G3 children participants completed the Perceived Criticism measure for their parents (G2). Path analysis found that G2 perceptions of parental bonding were significant predictors of G2’s perceptions of G1 parental criticism, which significantly predicted both G2’s perceptions of spousal criticism and G3’s perceptions of G2 parental criticism. Perceptions of spousal criticism were also found to predict marital relationship quality. Findings highlight the intergenerational transmission of perceptions of criticism across relationships in the family unit, providing support that parenting practices and communication patterns in one generation can predict those in the next generation. Future studies can look to replicate the findings in other cultures and include further investigations into sibling relationships as well.

Authors:
Michelle Jin Yee Neoh, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore
An An Lieu, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore
Enrico Perinelli, University of Trento, Italy
Jan Paolo Macapinlac Balagtas, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore
Moon-Ho Ringo Ho, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore
Gianluca Esposito, University of Trento, Italy

About the Presenter(s)
Michelle is a PhD student in Psychology with research interests in social neuroscience, interpersonal relationships and interactions with others. Her current project focuses on the perception and response to criticism in social relationships.

Connect on ResearchGate
https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Michelle-Neoh-2

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